Waste management firm Biffa was granted permission for a £200 million plant at Newhurst Quarry, Shepshed, in 2012, despite thousands of people objecting because of fears about fumes from the burning of rubbish and the number of lorries needed to feed the operation.

Biffa said it would burn 300,000 tonnes of rubbish annually and use the heat to generate electricity sufficient to power 42,000 homes.

It has yet to start developing the former quarry site in Ashby Road, which overlooks the motorway, but said advancements in engineering technology had now prompted a rethink.

The firm said it now wanted to burn 350,000 tonnes of rubbish annually, generating 33 megawatts of energy – enough to power 66,000 homes.

It is seeking alterations to the planning permission granted by the Government, which overruled Leicestershire County Council's rejection of the project.

Biffa said the changes were largely internal and there would be no need to increase the current permitted number of lorry movements, which allow for 375,000 tonnes of waste to be moved there.

Development director Mike Thair said: "Biffa has taken the opportunity to refine and improve the facility's design, so as to improve energy efficiencies and overall performance.

"This will significantly increase the amount of electricity the plant can produce.

"As well as providing a major contribution towards sustainable energy generation and waste management in Leicestershire, the project will bring £250 million of investment to the area with 40 full-time jobs, hundreds more during construction and more still through contractors and suppliers over the plant's life.

"Not forgetting money will also be spent on hotels, taxis, shops and other necessities which will be required by this major project."

Biffa has sent revised plans to County Hall ahead of making a formal request to alter the planning permission in the summer.

Shepshed county councillor Christine Radford said she still had concerns.

She said: "If they are going to up the amount of rubbish burned that must mean more emissions and more lorries.

"I worry about the impact on Ashby Road.

"I doubt we'll be able to get alterations rejected, as the scheme already has planning permission but I will try to get conditions."

Biffa said controls would mean there was no health risk from smoke emissions.